Labour Associate Spokesperson
for Disarmament and Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA)
President, Ross Robertson, said that the 7th Consultative
Assembly of Parliamentarians for the International Criminal
Court (ICC) and the Rule of Law (CAP ICC) hosted by the
Italian Parliament last week focused on the fight against
impunity for the most serious crimes of international
concern.

“The Assembly’s proceedings, which
coincided with PGA’s 34th Annual Forum and International
Human Rights Day, saw the participation of MPs and state
officials from approximately 70 countries,” said Ross
Robertson.

“Among the Assembly’s results were
the commitment of high level politicians from states that
have not yet ratified the Rome Statute of the ICC (‘States
Non Parties’) to conclude the relevant processes of
ratification as soon as possible
(Malaysia), by the end of 2013 after the
reform of the Penal Code
(Morocco), in the course
of the legislative year 2013-14
(Jamaica), or when their
national calendar of decision-making will allow a large
majority in Parliament (Cote d’Ivoire, El
Salvador).

“There was also a commitment of MPs to
initiate a national debate towards ratification in
Mauritania, and the empowerment of MPs from States Non
Parties that have already declared their interest in joining
the Rome Statute (Tonga and Togo) and from
States Non Parties that have not yet expressed a position on
this critical matter (Kazakhstan,
Libya and Yemen),” he said.

Ross Robertson said that Parliamentarians for Global
Action will work with individual legislators and other
political leaders to make sure that the commitments by
lawmakers that emerged in Rome will bear fruit in the
national legislatures of all participants, by way of further
advocacy, follow-up events and initiatives to be undertaken
in conjunction with partners and stakeholders.

“From that point of view it was a most successful
conference, and bodes well for the future,” said Ross
Robertson.

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